Prostitution rife among penguins says scientist

AUCKLAND, March 6, 1998 (AFP) - Some of Antarctica's female penguins practice prostitution in order to obtain stones for their nests, a scientist has discovered.

University of Otago zoologist Dr Lloyd Davis made the finding after nine visits to the ice to study penguin behaviour, Television New Zealand reported Friday.

"They are not nearly as faithful as we thought," he told the state owned network.

"They swap partners quite frequently."

He said females insulate their nests with stones and the males are expected to deliver them.

Davis said males delivering the stones get a quick copulation for their troubles, although they are often tricked by the females.

"They give all the signals that they are going to court with the male, and most often times they will simply pick up the stones and run off, take the money and run, if you like."